The Community of the Mother of Jesus

A Novice is a prospective member of a religious order who is being tried and being proven for suitability of admission to the community. After initial contact with the CMJ, and after a period of time as a postulant (a period of candidacy in which initial discernment takes place), the person will be received as a novice in a ceremony that involves being clothed with the novitiate habit. The novice's habit is slightly different from those of our professed members. 

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Novices are not admitted to vows until they have successfully completed the prescribed period of training and discernment, called the novitiate. This usually lasts at least two years. 

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All Novices are asked to:

• Attend the Eucharist weekly

• Pray the Rosary twice weekly

• Meet monthly with one’s Spiritual Companion within the Community

• Observe the Quarterly Community Day

• Attend the Annual Gathering

 

1st year Novices Include

• Weekly study of the novice manual

• Daily praying one hour of the Daily Office

 

2nd year Novices Include

• Monthly assigned readings

• Daily praying one hour of the Daily Office and Compline

• Ministry to those to whom God sends you to

 

At the end of Novitiate Before First Vows novices are asked to:

• Complete a three day spiritual retreat